FDNY Launches Brush Fire Task Force As Upper Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park Faces Another Wildfire Amid Citywide Drought

A brush fire at Inwood Hill Park has once again prompted firefighters in Upper Manhattan to respond. With a backdrop of dry conditions and elevated fire risk, the fire, which started at around 10 p.m. last evening, is the most recent in a string of wildfires that have charred the city, prompting concerns. Since a large fire on November 13 that damaged at least four acres of property, the FDNY has been keeping a careful eye on Inwood Hill Park, according to ABC7NY.

The FDNY has taken a fresh stance in reaction to the recent spate of fires. To effectively combat the wildfire threat, the department is forming a Brush Fire Task Force that will include inspectors, fire marshals, and tactical drone teams. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker emphasized the city’s unprecedented predicament in a statement obtained by Patch, saying, “Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast-spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions have resulted in a historic increase of brush fires throughout New York City.”

This preventative action comes after a historic two weeks during which firemen were dispatched to put out 271 brush fires throughout the city—the most in the city’s history for that length of time. The task force’s creation aims to keep the public and firemen safe by preventing these occurrences from happening in the first place as well as by responding to them more effectively.

According to ABC7NY, the New York City region has been officially placed under a drought warning for the first time in 22 years. In order to lessen the effects of the prolonged drought, officials are asking New Yorkers to use less water as firefighters attempt to put out this second fire in Inwood.

Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!